Pop culture legends

Hollywood North is packed with talent—from Ryan Reynolds to Pamela Anderson to Michael J. Fox and Seth Rogan—Vancouver has stars across the board. However, many more lowkey pop culture icons are from Beautiful British Columbia. Here are some familiar faces from across the province that you may not realize are from the Best Coast.

Taylor Russell: Deep Cove, B.C

Taylor Russell starred in Bones and All as well as A24 film Waves. She was born in Deep Cove and has wonderful memories from growing up under the gaze of the North Shore Mountains. 

Russell describes fond memories of days on the beach surrounded by marine life. Russell now resides in Los Angeles and has told Harpers Bizzare that she doesn't return to Deep Cove often to hold onto the memory of her childhood now that the community has changed so much due to gentrification.

Mac DeMarco: Duncan, B.C

Salad Days singer Mac DeMarco has fond memories of Duncan, B.C. 

DeMarco grew up in Edmonton but returned to Vancouver after high school to hone his craft and sound. Although the singer has not returned to Duncan since birth, he still considers the Vancouver Island city a core part of his identity.

Carrie-Anne Moss: Burnaby, B.C

The Matrix mogul was born in Burnaby and grew up in Vancouver. There, she found her theatric talents by participating in musical theatre and singing in the Magee Secondary School choir, which she commuted daily. 

Moss won a Film Independent Spirit Award for her work in Memento (2000). She now lives in New Hampshire, USA.

David Suzuki: Vancouver, B.C

Environmental activist David Suzuki has deep roots in Vancouver, including teaching at UBC, where he retired. A notable fact about Suzuki's family is that they were interned during World War II. The broadcaster and geneticist received the order of British Columbia and Canada as one of the most beloved scientists and media personalities.

 In his autobiography, Suzuki details his experience living as a Japanese Canadian in Slocan Valley Internment Camp and his many life successes.

Eden Robinson: Kitimat, B.C

Eden Robinson is a Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations member from Kitimat. She is known for her powerful writing and has won numerous awards, including the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, the University of Victoria Distinguished Alumni Award, and, more recently, the Writers Trust Fellowship in 2017. 

Robinson uses her writing to raise significant concerns in contemporary Indigenous Peoples' lives and encapsulate a reader through her work.

Hayden Christensen: Vancouver, B.C

Hayden Christensen, best known for his role as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars episodes two and three, is a Vancouverite.

Although he was born in Raincouver, he spent most of his childhood in Ontario. Although he now lives in Uxbridge, Ontario, the actor will return to Vancouver from February 21 to 23 to participate in the beloved Fan Expo convention. 

Secret celebrities

Are there other secret B.C. celebrities you know of? Let us know!